Grain-binding machine



(No Model.) I I 11 SheetsSheet 1.

- S. L. McGOLLOOH.

GRAIN BINDING MACHINE.

No. 458,261. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

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INVENTOR,

No. 458,261. Patented Aug. 25, 1891 WITNESSES Att'y.

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(No Model.)

S; L. MOCOLLOCH. GRAIN BINDING MACHINE.

No, 458,261. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

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(NO Model.) 11 SheetsSheet 4.

S. L. MQGOLLOGH. GRAIN BINDING MACHINE.

No. 458,261. Patented Aug. 25,-1891.

No Model.) 11 Sheets-Sheet 5.

S. L. McOOLLOGH. GRAIN BINDING MACHINE.

No. 458,261. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

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I 1 I INVENTOR,

11 Sheets- Sheet s1.

(Nu Model.)

S. L. McGOLLOGH.

' GRAIN BINDING MAGHINE. I No. 458,251. Patented Aug. 25,1891.

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(No Model.) 11 Sheets-Sheet 9. S. L. MQGOLLOGH.

GRAIN BINDING MACHINE.

No. 458,261. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

WlTNESSES:

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(No Model.) 11 Sheets-Sheet 10.

S. L. MGOOLLOGH. GRAIN BINDING MACHINE.

N0. 458,261. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

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NITED STATES PATENT ,FFICE.

SIMON L. MCCOLLOCH, OF lVI-IEELING, IVEST VIRGINIA.

GRAIN-BINDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 458,261, dated August 25, 1891.

Application filed February 21, 1888. Serial No. 264,797- (No model.) 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON L. MCCOLLOCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of \Vest Virginia, have invented or discovered a certain new and useful Improvement in Grain- Binding Machines, of which improvement the following is a specification.

My invention relates to self-binding attachments to harvestingmachines, and is an im provement upon that for which Letters Patent of the United States No. 315,528 were granted and issued to me under date of April 14,1885.

The objects of my invention are to eifect a simplification and perfection of mechanism and a material reduction of the power required for binding and to provide a binder which shall be specially applicable to self raking harvestingmachines, while equally applicable to harvesting-machines of other constructions.

To this end my invention consists in certain novel devices and combinations hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a partial plan or top View of a harvesting-inachine embodying my invention, the rake-head being removed; Fig. 2, a section, on an enlarge'd'scale, through one end of the supporting-roller of the apron; Fig. 3, a side view in elevation of the binding mechanism proper, the parts being shown as at rest and in readiness for the commencement of the binding operation; Fig. 4, a partial plan or top view of the same, showing the discharge-arm in position to engage the cord of the bound sheaf and effect its discharge; Fig. 5, a view in elevation of the end casting which connects the frame-bars and supports the rotating disk and pivot of the slotted rocker-arm; Fig. 6, a view, partly in elevation and partly in section and on an enlarged scale, showing a portion of the platform,-a hinged platform extension, a connected roller and apron, a section through the frame and carriage of the binding mechanism, and an elevation of one of the supports for the supplemental platform, one of the supporting and guiding shafts of the binding mechanism, and connections for adjusting the position of the binding mechanism for different lengths of grain; Fig. 7, aside view in elevation of the binding mechanism proper, the parts being shown in positions occupied when the grain is gathered and in readiness to be compressed for binding; Fig. 8, a similar view, the parts being shown in positions occupied when nearly at the completion of the operation; Fig. 9, a sectional elevation showing a portion of the compressor-arm with the compressor-cord attached; Fig. 10, a similar view showing the relation of the cam-block which actuates the gathering-fingers and the short double-armed lever of one of said fingers; Fig. 11, a view in perspective and on an enlarged scale, showing the rake-head and the driving mechanism thereof and of the binding mechanism; Fig.

2, an axial section through the spring-drum to which the coin pressor-cord is attached at the line 00 as of Fig.15; Fig. 13, a transverse section through the same at the lineyy of Fig. 12; Fig. 14, a View in elevation illustrating the positions of the parts of the knotting mechanism and the operating devices thereof when at rest and in readiness to commence the knotting of the binding-cord, together with the devices for regulating the tension of the compressorspring; Fig. let, a partial longitudinal section through the carriage and through one of the supports of the frame of the knotting mechanisin; Fig. 15, a view in elevation, showing the knotting mechauisinin position when the knot has been formed, but before it has been drawn tight; Fig. 16, a transverse section at the line 2 z of Fig. 15; Fig. 17, a view in elevation and on an enlarged scale of the knotter, and a vertical transverse section through the frame thereof; Figs. 18 and 19, horizontal sections through the same at the lines to w and 2) v, respectively, of Fig. 17; Fig. 20, a view in perspective of the head-piece of the knotter; Fig. 21, a similar View of the upper portion of the rotating cord-throwing cylinder; Fig. 22, a similar view of the cord-tightening spindle and its hooks. Figs. 23 to 29, inclusive, are plan views of the knotting, cord-holding, and cutting mechanism, illustrating, respectively, diiferent stages ofthe operation'of tying a knot, the upper portion of the head-piece of the knotter, which is shown in Fig. 20, being removed in Figs. 26 to 29, inclusive, to show the position of the cord; Fig. 30, a similar view of the knotter, showing the completed knot, the upper portion of the head-piece being removed, as in Figs. 26 to 29, inclusive. Figs. 31 to 3%, inclusive, are views in perspective of a cord, showing different stages of the formation and tightening of a knot. Figs. 35 and 36 are views, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the cord holding and cutting mechanism, illustrating the shearing and crimping plate and its carrier in positions occupied by them during the upward and the downward traverse, respectively, of their operating-levers; Figs. 37 and 38 are respectively front and rear views in perspective of the movable shearing and crimping plate; Fig. 39, a view in perspective of the carrier of said plate; Fig. 40, a similar View of the fixed crimping plate and thestationary knife-plate, together with a portion of the frame to which they are connected; Fig. 41, a plan view on an enlarged scale, showing the engaging and disengaging devices of the driving mechanism of the binder. Figs. 42 and 43 are side views, in elevation, of a portion of the frame of the binding mechanism, showing the pivoted 1ever which throws the compressor-arm in positions corresponding respectively with the limit of the throw of the arm and with one adjacent to the point of disengagement from the arm; Fig. 44, a view in perspective and on an enlarged scale of said pivoted lever detached, and Fig. 45 a similar view of the gearing for adjusting the position of the binding mechanism. 2

My invention is herein illustrated in connection with a self-raking harvesting-machine, which in particulars other than those relating to the construction and operative relation of the features of improvement applied by me accords with those heretofore well known and generally employed, and need not therefore be specifically described.

In the practice of my invention I locate the binding mechanism proper at the inner side of the platform t of the machine, the major portion of said mechanism lying between the side of the platform and the line of traverse of the main or drive wheel 5, and the frame of said mechanism being placed at or nearly at aright angle to the finger-beam 1 and cutter-bar. The binding mechanism is mounted upon a frame 6, which is preferably formed, as shown, of a series of bars of angle-iron secured to interposed connecting-pieces 7. A carriage S, composed of a pair of angle-plates connected by transverse members, is fitted to reciprocate longitudinally upon the upper bars of the frame 6, and for the purpose of reducing friction the carriage may be provided at or near its ends with rollers 9, hearing on the upper and lower sides of the flanges of the upper frame-bars. Intermittent reciprocating motion is imparted to the carriage S from the drive-wheel 5, the preferable construction being one in which, as shown, such motion is derived through the shaft which drives the rake.

Under the construction and arrangement of the binding mechanism herein shown and described it is necessary that the shaft which directly actuates the same shall rotate in opposite direction to the drive wheel. Said shaft is therefore driven through an intermediate shaft, which is rotated by a chain from the driving-shaft, as presently to be described, and is provided with a clutch mechanism for intermitting the action of the binding mechanism. It will, however, be obvious that an intermediate shaft might be dispensed with, if preferred, and the driving-shaft of the binding mechanism be connected directly with the shaft of the drive-wheel or with a member of the driving mechanism of the rake, being, as in the former case, provided with a suitable engaging and disengaging mechanism. In the instance illustrated the axle 10 of the drive-wheel is coupled, through an intermediate shaft 11, provided at its ends with suitable universal joints and having a clutch 12, by which it may be disengaged from the axle 10 when required, to a shaft 13, carrying a bevel-pinion 14, which engages a corresponding gear 15 on the shaft 16, to which the rake-head 17 is secured. A sprocketwheel 18 is secured upon the shaft 13 and a drive-chain 19 engages the teeth of said sprocket-wheel and those of a similar wheel 20, fixed upon a clutch-shaft 21, mounted on bearings in a frame 22, secured upon the platform 4 adjacent to the frame 23 of the rakehead or made integral with the latter frame. A clutch-section 25 is mounted freely upon the shaft 21, said section having teeth at one end adapted to engage the corresponding teeth of a clutch-section 26, fixed upon the shaft 21. A hub 27 is formed upon the opposite end of the clutch-section 25, and a segmental recess 28 in the outer end of the hub 27 is adapted once in each revolution of the clutch-section 25 to engage a roller 29, journaled upon a stud on the frame, when the clutch-section 25 is moved along the shaft out of engagement with the clutch-section 26 and toward said roller, such movement being effected by a helical spring 30, hearing against a collar on the clutch-section 26 and against a similar collar or equivalent surface on the section 25. A spur-gear 24 is mounted upon the clutch-section 25, and may be either fixed thereto, as shown, or connected therewith by a longitudinal feather and groove, so as to admit of longitudinal movement of the clutchsection relatively to the gear.

The engagement of the clutch-sections 25 and 26 to rotate the former is effected by means of a lever 31, pivoted at one end to the frame and having a projection upon its free end adapted to bear against the outer end of the hub 27, said lever being pressed against the hub by a cam or projection 32 on a vertical shaft 33, journaled in bearings on the frame and rake-head frame 23. The shaft 33 is rocked in its bearings, so as to effect the engagement of the clutch-section 25 with the clutch-section 26 of the shaft 21 for IIO such period during each revolution of the shaft 21 as the recess 28 of the clutch-section is disengaged from the roller 29, and the gear 24 will therefore be rotated by the shaft 21 during such period, the roller 29 bearing upon the end of the hub 27 and serving to maintain the clutch-sections 25 and 26 in engagement. When the recess 28 engages the roller 29, which will occur once in each revolution of the shaft 21, the spring 30 disengages the clutch-sections 25 and 26, and the gear 24 will hence remain stationary until the next succeeding movement of the vertical shaft in direction to press the lever 31 against the hub of the clutch-section 25 and re-engage the same with'the clutch-section 26.

Each rotation of the shaft 21 imparts, through connections presently to be described, reciprocating movement in opposite directions and in each direction through its entire traverse to the carriage 8, the grain being gathered, compressed, and bound during the advancing movement of the carriage, which in this case is that toward the rear of the platform, and the sheaf being discharged and the parts returned to position for the next succeeding operation during the returning movement of the carriage, or, in this case, that toward the front of the platform. The movements of the carriage must be so timed relatively to those of the rake as to allow the binding mechanism to perform its functions upon the gavel before a new gavel is gathered and delivered for binding. To this end the shaft 33 is connected to and moves axially with one of the latches 34 of the rake-arm-guidin g mechanism, and at each outward movement of said latch by the roller 35 of a rake-arm carrying casting 36, as the rake attached to the rake-arm 37 of said casting brings the gavel across the carriage 8, the projection 32 of the shaft 33 presses the lever 31 against the hub 27 of the clutch-section 25, and thereby engages the clutch-sections 25 and 26, so as to cause the gear 24 to make one revolution with the shaft 21, the rotation of said shaft being stopped at the termination of a revolution by the engagement of the re cess 28 and roller 29, as before explained. The reel-rake selected for illustration herein is that termed the Johnson rake, and, being well known to those skilled in the art and not constituting in and of itself any part of my present invention, need not be herein at length described. As is familiar to operators of harvesting-machines in which said rake is employed, the same may be adjusted to rake with greater or less frequency, as required, and under the above construction a revolution of the clutch-section 25 and gear 24 is commenced at the termination of each raking operation, which is the only essential governing the relation of the clutch-section 25 and gear 24 to the raking mechanism. The engagement of the clutch-sections may therefore be effected by any suitable device actuated by the movement of a member of the raking mechanism, which will cause the commencement of each revolution of the clutch-section 25 and gear 24 to be practically coincident with thetermination of a raking movement.

The requisite movements are imparted to the binding mechanism from a driving-shaft 38, which is in this instance rotated intermittently by the gear 24. The shaft 38 may, however, as before indicated, be driven directly by a gear fixed upon the shaft of the drive-whee], or by suitable connection with some member of the driving mechanism of the rake, in which case it will be provided with a clutch mechanism similar or equivalentto that above described. The inner section of the shaft 38 is formed of square or polygonal cross-section, or otherwise adapted to move longitudinally within, while maintaining rotative engagement with, an outer sleeve or tubular section having suitable journals mounted in bearings in the frame 22, and having fixed upon it a gear 39, meshing with the gear 24.

The object of providing the capacity of longitudinal movement of the driving-shaft section 38 within the sleeve which carries the gear by which said section is rotated is to admit of movement of the frame 6 of the binding mechanism toward and from the delivery or binding side of the platform 4 to adjust the former in proper relation to the latter to effect the binding of grain of diiferent lengths, as may from time to time be required, and at the same time to maintain its connection with the driving mechanism. frame 6 is adapted to slide longitudinally upon a pair of supporting and guide rods or bars 45, secured to the frame of the platform 4 at a right angle to the frame 6, lugs 46, secured to the lower frame-bars, fitting freely on the rods or bars 45. The frame 6 is coupled by links 47 to arms 48 upon a shaft 49, journaled in bearings 50, fixed to the rods or bars 45, and carrying a worm-wheel 51, meshing with a worm 52, secured upon a vertical shaft 53, which is provided with ahand-wheel 54 at its upper end. By the rotation of the shaft 53 in one or the other direction the shaft 49 may be rocked in its bearings, and through its connections with the frame 6 will move the latter toward or from the platform, as the case may be. The top of the frame 6 is in this case located at a higher level than that of the platform 4, and the space between the platform and frame, the width of which, as above indicated, varies with different lengths of grain, must be suitably bridged over in each adjusted position of the frame 6 to admit of the proper delivery of the grain thereto. In the instance illustrated this end is attained by the employment of an automatically-adjustable bridge consisting of an extension or plate 55, hinged to the delivery side of the platform at an upward angle thereto and at or near the point at which the rakes leave the gavels, together To this end the with an adjustable apron 56, extending from the extension to a point adjacent to the top of the carriage S, which moves upon the frame and which may be either on a level with, or, as shown, slightly above the same. The free end of the extension 55 is supported by arms 57, pivoted in bearings 58, fixed to one of the transverse beams or bars 59, to which the guide and supporting rods -15 are secured, the arms 57 having pins on their outer ends which slide freely in slots 60 in the hinged arms 61, which carry the extension 55, and are adapted to be fixed at difierent desired positions in said slots, as by setscrews 62. The apron 56 is connected at one side to an elastic rod 63, secured at one end to an arm 64, projecting from the frame 6 near one of its ends, and fitted freely at its opposite end in a bearing in an arm 65, adjacent to the other extremity of the frame 6. The elasticity of the rod 63, together with its free fit in the bearing of the arm 65, permits it to be sprung downwardly at and adjacent to its middle portion in the compression of the sheaf and to return to normal position after such compression has been effected. The opposite side of the apron 56 is connected to and wound upon a roller 66, which is mounted in bearings 67 68 on the extension 55, and the apron is maintained at a proper degree of tightness by a helical spring 69, which is secured to and encircles one of the journals 70 of the roller 66, which journal is movable longitudinallyin the bearing 68 and is fitted with a squared end to engage a corresponding central recess in the adjacent end of the roller.

In lieu of the form of adjustable bridge above described and as a mechanical equivalent therefor any other suitable device for effecting the transfer of the grain from the platform to the carriage of the binding mechanism capable of automatic adjustment in conformity with the variation of positions of the frame of the bindingmechanism may be employed without involvinga departure from the operative principle and relation of the construction described and shown. As an instance of a device proper for the purpose there may be mentioned a series of sliding or telescopic plates connected at opposite sides to the platform and to the frame 6, or a light sheet of metal connected at one side to the frame 6 and adapted to slide freely at its opposite side below the platform-extension 55, or the delivery side of the platform proper, if preferred. A supplemental platform 71 is supported upon brackets 7 2, secured to lateral extensions 73 on the side of the connecting-pieces 7 of the frame 6 farthest from the platform 4, said supplemental platform serving for the support of that portion of the grain which overhangs the carriage 8 during the binding operation. The supporting-brackets '72 of the supplemental platform Tl are preferably connected to the extensions 7 3 by suitable stems or pivots passing through lugs on the extensions, so that upon the removal of the platform the brackets may be swung inwardly toward the binding mechanism frame for greater convenience in storage and transportation.

A crank disk or arm 40, fixed upon the end of the driving-shaft 38, carries a crank-pin 41, which fits freely in a longitudinal slot 42, formed in a rocking arm 43, journaled upon a pivot 4l,fixed in the frame 6 of the binding mechanism at the end adjacent to the driving mechanism. The rocking arm 43 is coupled by a connecting-rod 7 4 to a pin 75 on the adjacent end of the carriage and is rocked on its pivot by the rotation of the crank disk or arm 40, and its crank-pin i1 effects the reciprocation of the carriage 8 upon the frame 6. By the provision of the slot 42 in the arm 43 there is attained a varying leverage of the arm upon the carriage as well as a variation of the speed of the latter in diderent portions of its traverse, as is desirable for the most effective and advantageous performance of the operations of compressing, binding, and discharging the gavel. A gavel is compressed, bound, and discharged and the carriage returned to position for operation upon another gavel during each revolution of the crank 40, and these several operations are most advantageously performed at different rates of speed and by the exertion of difierent degrees of power, respectively, such advantage not being attainable by a connection of the carriage to the crank-pin without the intermediation of the slotted arm 43. The slot 42 of the arm may be either rectilineal, as shown, or formed of curvature or inclination varying at different points in its length, as may be best adapted to attain the varying speed and leverage desired. As shown in Fig. 3, the rocking arm is in position corresponding with the commencement of the advancing movement of the carriage, the early portion of which is effected with comparative rapidity and a comparatively slight exertion of power. As the carriage advances and the compressing operation progresses, the leverage of the arm i3 is gradually increased and its speed diminished, thus affording the most favorable conditions for the exertion of power in compress ing, and in the returning movement of the carriage the average speed of the arm is correspondingly increased and its leverage reduced, which conditions comply with the requirements of the discharge of the sheaf and return of the carriage to initial position. The slot 42 may be formed of outward curvature or inclination above the point at which the advancing movement of the carriage commences, as shown in Fig. 3?, and in such case the variations of speed and leverage above specified will be effected to a greater degree than where a straight slot, as shown, is employed.

The first operation performed in the advancing movement of the carriage 8 and its accessories is the gathering and compressing ICC of the gavel into a bundle, which operation is effected by the following mechanism: A pair of gathering and compressing fingers 76, having upper faces of proper width, is pivoted to the frame 6, the fingers being journaled upon pivots 77, fixed to brackets 78 on opposite sides of the frame, and being straight for a portion of their length, and thereafter upwardly curved toward their free ends. A shortdouble-armed lever 7 9 is mounted freely upon each of the pivots 77, one arm of the lever fitting beneath the adjacent gatheringfinger 76 when the carriage is at its initial position, and the other arm,which is suitably rounded at its point to form a proper bearingsurface, extending in direction to be acted upon by a cam-block 80, secured to the side of the carriage. The upper surfaces of the cam-blocks 80 are downwardly curved or inclined in the direction of the end of the carriage to which the binder-arm is attached, and the cam-blocks, striking the double-armed levers 79 in the advancing movementof the carriage, first swing the gathering and compressing fingers 76 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig.7. In the further movement of the carriage in the same direction the points of the levers 79 ride on the do nwardly-inclin ed surfaces of the camblocks, and thereby admit of a sufficient degree of upward and backward movement of the gathering and com pressingfingers to pro vide for the yielding of the same to the pressure of the gavel without permitting the grain to be moved outside of or beyond the path of the free end of the binder-arm. Upon the release of the levers from the cam-block the gathering an d compressing fingers are thrown by the advancing movement of the bundle of grain within the binder-arm into their original positions, in which they are in readiness for the next succeeding operation. In lieu of employinga double-armed lever independent of each finger, as shown, the fingers might-,if

preferred, be prolonged to form lever-arms below their pivots and be provided with springs by which they could be thrown up suificiently to move said lever-arms into po sition to be actuated by the cam blocks, as

shown at- A in Fig. 3". One or more teeth or projections 81 are formed on the ends of the upper plates of the gathering and compressing fingers adjacent to their pivots, said teeth sliding in longitudinal grooves 82 in the top of the carriage and in a shield 108, pivoted thereto and serving to prevent the grain from bulging outside of the path of the free end of the binder-arm by narrowing the distance between the bearing-points of the gathering and compressing fingers upon the grain.

To further assist in keeping the grain out of the path of the free end of the binder-arm, the top of the frame 104, in which the knottiug mechanism is mounted and which is ,connected to the carriage 8, is made to project above the top of the same and is inclined downwardly in the direction of its advancing movement, as shown at QOl in Figs. 3 and 7, thereby preventing the grain which lies above them from getting under the adjacent ends of the gathering and compressing fin- A corresponding projection or projections may be fixed to the top of the carriage in lieu of extending the knotterframe upwardly, or in addition to the projections formed by the upward extension of said frame. A curved or segmental binder-arm 83 is pivoted to the end of the carriage S, which constitutes its rear in its advancing movement, so as to move in opposite direction to the forward movement of the gathering and compressing fingers, the arm 83 being in this instance journaled, for convenience, upon the pin 75, to which the connecting-rod 74 is coupled. The arm 83 is preferably of channel or U form in cross-section, to combine strength with lightness, and carries near its free end a standard or standards 84, in which is mounted a sheave 85, or a guide-opening, around or through which the binding-cord 86 passes freely. Said cord is led through a suitable tension device 87 from a ball 88 and passes along the curved outer surface of the binder-arm 33 to the sheave 85, and thence through a central recess 89 in the free end of the binder-arm, from which it passes to the knotting mechanism, hereinafter described. A compressorcord 90 is secured to the binder-arm 83 near the inner end of the recess 89 and extends to a spring-drum 01, mounted on hearings in the frame 10% of the knot-ting mechanism, which is connected to the carriage 8. The springdrum 91 is of annular form, provided with a circumferential groove for the reception of the compressoncord 90, the end of which is secured to a pin 168 in said groove and is fitted to rotate freely upon cylindrical bearings 169 on the frame lOl, its rotation being limited by a pin or projection 170, which abuts at the limit of its traverse against a stop 171, fixed on the frame. Atension-adjusting shaft 172 passes freely and centrally through the drum and its bearings, and a spirally-coiled tension-spring 173 is connected at one end to the shaft 172 and at the other to the drum 91. The tension of the spring 173, which acts to rotate the drum in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 13, may be adjusted as required by the application of a wrench to the squared end of the shaft 172, and the shaft. is held in position as adjusted by a spring-pawl 174, engaging the teeth of a ratchetavheel 175, fixed upon the end of the shaft. A short lever-arm or heel-extension 92 is formed upon or fixed to the binder-arm 83, projecting therefrom on the side of its pivot opposite the main body of the arm, said lever-arm carrying on its outer end apin or projection 03, adapted to engage a recess 97 in the free end of a'pivoted lever or pair of levers til, each of which is journaled upon a stud 95, fixed in the frame 6. The levers 94 are coupled to the frame on the sides of too - tion by .the springs 96.

theirpivots opposite their free ends by springs y which they are returned to their initialpos tions when released. from the pin or pro ection 93 of the lever-arm 92 of the binderarm 83. An inclined or curved flange or camsurface 98 is formed on the inner side of each of the pivoted levers, against which the pin orpro ection 93 of the lever-arm 92 bears in the returning movement of the carriage, and thereby raises the levers 94E suflicient-ly to enable the lever-arm 92 to pass by the same, onthe return of the binder-arm to initial pos1t1on, the levers 9% being thereafter returned to and held in position for their slots 97 to engage the projection 93 in the next advancing movement of the carriage by the springs 96. A roller 99 is journaled on astud on one side of the binder-arm at a short distance from its pivot 75, said roller fitting in a slot 100, formedin one of the connecting-pieces 7 of the frame 6, and extending downwardly from the top of the same for a sufficient distance to allow the binder-arm to assume the desired position at the initial point of the advancing movement of the carriage 8, as shown in Fig. 8. The side of the slot nearest the driving-shaft 38 should be extended above the level of the top of the carriage, so as to form an end stop to insure the contact of the roller 99 with the side of the slot in the returning movement of the carriage, and thereby effect the movement of the binder-arm into the position shown in Fig. 3 against such tension as may be exerted by the compressor-cord90. Adowni'tardly-curved shieldplate 176 is secured at one end to the pivot 1a of the rocking arm 43 and at the other to the adjacent connecting-piece 7 of the frame 6, said plate serving to protect the compressorarm, when in the position shown in Fig. 3, from contact with stones or other obstructions. In the advancing movement of the carriage 8 the roller 99, hearing against the side of the slot 100 farthest from the shaft 38, rises in said slot, and thereby rocks the binder-arm upon its pivot until said arm assumes a position relatively to the carriage corresponding with that shown in Fig. 7. The further traverse of the carriage in the same direction in which the roller99 rides on the top of the frame 6 brings the pin or projection 93 of the binder-arm into engagement with the recesses 97 of the pivoted levers 94:, which, in connection with the short lever-arm 92, then form a toggle-joint and in the further movement of the carriage force the binder-arm into the position relatively to the carriage, (shown in Figs. 8, 4:2, and 43,) shortly after which the pin or projection 93 is disengaged from the recesses 97 and the pivoted levers 9%. are returned to initial posi- The binder-arm is i looked in position when the pivoted levers 91- lateral notches or recesses 102, formed in the binder-arm 83, adjoining its free end. The binder-arm is held in such locked position during the further advancing movement until the completion of the knot'ting operation, upon which the hooks 101 are released from the notches 102 and the tension of the spring which is connected to the spring-drum 91, to which the compressor-cord is attached, throws the binderarm into position relatively to the carriage corresponding to that shown in Fig. 7, a supplemental spring 103, which encircles the hub or bearing of the binderarm on its pivot 75, as shown in Fig. 1,being provided to insure the performance of this operation. In this position the roller 99 rests upon the top of the frame on which it rides in the returning movement of the carriage, in which the pin or projection 93 bears against the cam-surfaces 98 of the pivoted levers 9t and raises the latter sufficiently to pass below their recesses 97, and at the termination of the returning movement the roller 99 strikes the side of the slot nearest the driving-shaft 38 and throws the binder-arm into the initial position shown in Fig. 3, this operation being promoted by the tension of thesupplementalspring103. Thecam-blocks 80,passin g under the lower arms of the doublearmed levers 79 in the returning movement of the carriage, raise and pass by said levers, which then drop into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 8, in readiness to be actuated by the cam-blocks in the next succeeding advancing movement.

The knotting mechanism is mounted in an independent frame 104:, which is connected to the carriage 8, so as to be readily detatched and removed therefrom and replacedin position for the operation of the mechanism, as may from time to time be required for renewal or repair, or for storage separately from the other members of the apparatus. To this end the frame 104 is provided with lugs 105, which may either be connected by screws or bolts to the carriage or be fitted to rest and be held by a movable member in suitable receptacles in the top of the carriage. In the instance shown the frame 10a rests upon supports 106, fixed to the under sides of the plates of the carriage 8. A slot 107 (see Fig. 14:) is cut in said plates above each of the supports and extending for about one-half the length of the bearing-surface thereof, said slots enabling the lugs to be entered and slid along below the plates of the carriage until they abut against shoulders at the opposite ends of the supports. The lugs and connected frame 10% are held firmly in this position by a movable member which bears against the end of the frame 101 farthest from the end shoulders of the supports 106, against which the lugs 105 abut when the frame is in position, which function may be performed by a shield 10S, pivoted by a pin 109 to lugs 110 on a crossbar 111, connecting the side plates of the carriage 8 at one end thereof. The shield 108,

which covers and protects the knotting mechanism, as well as covers the slots 107, which are cut in the side plates of the carriage for the admission of the lugs 105, and the openings formed in the carriage for the insertion and removal of the frame 104, isheldin position by a spring 112, fixed to the cross-barlll of the carriage and bearingagainsta squared face on the portion of the shield which incloses its pivot 109. A stop or shoulder 113 on the under side of the shield 108 bears against the ends of the adjacentlugs and holds the same and the frame 104'in position until the shield is swung upwardly upon its pivot to admit of the removal of the frame 104. The shield is curved upwardly at its center to fitover the knotter, and a longitudinal slot 114 is formed in said curved central portion for the admission of the binding-cord to the head-piece of the knotter, said slot being widened at the proper point for the passage of the standards 84,which carry the sheave- 85. A slot 115 is also formed inthe shield on each side of the slot 114, said slots serving for the passage of a pair of levers connected with the knotting mechanism. The binding-cord 86 is led from the ball 88 through the tension device 87 and through atakeup 116 to the binder-arm 83, passing over the curved outer surface thereof, around the sheave 85 or through an equivalent guideway, and through the slot 89 to a cord holding and cutting device pivoted to the frame 104, in which its end is held while the gavel is laid upon it, which is done while it is in the position indicated in Fig. 3 and while it is carried around the gavel by the movement of the binder-arm 83 in compressing the grain into a bundle for binding, by which movement it is brought successively into the posi tions indicated in Figs. 7 and 8 andis doubled throughout the distance between the cord holding and cutting device and the slot 89 of the binder-arm, which at the termination of said movement is on the side of the knotter farthest from the cord holding and cutting device, and the doubled portion of the cord is laid across the knotter. The binding-cord is then in position for the formation and tightening of the knot in readiness for the discharge of the sheaf.

The cord holding and cutting mechanism is of the following construction: A swinging frame 117 is journaled upon a pivot 117 in the frame 104 of the knotting mechanism near its lower side. A movable shearing and crimping plate 118 (shown in Figs. 35 to 38,.

inclusive) is pivoted upon a pin 119 in a fixed crimping-plate 132, secured to the upper portion of the frame 117, said plate 118 having two outwardly-projecting guide -arms 120 above its pivotand serving to support a shearer and crimper 125, and also to act as a guide for the cord 86 into proper position for cutting and crimping. A central projection is formed upon the plate 118 between the arms 120 and above the opening 122 for the pivot of the plate, said projection having two arms or horns 121, which curve or project outwardly from a central guide groove or recess 123 for the cord, and lateral grooves or recesses 124 being formed between the lower sides of the arms 121 and the outer arms 120 of the plate. Ashearer and crimper 125, having sh caring-edges on its outer face, is formed upon one end of the central projection of the plate 118, said shearer and crimper being connected with the arms 120 of the main body of the plate 118 by lateral extensions 126, constituting the outer wall of a slot 127, formed in the plate at a right angle to the axial line of its pivot-opening. The end of the central projection of the plate on the opposite or inner wall of the slot 127 provides a crimping-bearing on each side, said bearings coacting with those of the shearer and crimper and with the fixed crimping-plate 132 in crimping the cord. A segmental hub or boss 128 is formed upon the plate 118, concentric with its pivot-opening, its function being to provide increased bearing for the plate upon its pivot and to form a bearing or abutment for a carrier 129, by which the plate 118 is rocked in alternately-opposite directions upon its pivot to out and crimp the binding-cord and to place one or the other of the guidegrooves 124 in position to receive the hinding-cord in readinessfor the neXt succeeding cutting and crimping operation thereon. The carrier, which is of substantially triangu lar form or provided with side surfaces oppositely inclined relatively to its top, is pivoted to the plate 118 by a stud 130, located below and in line with the pivot 119 of the plate and the central guide-groove 123 of the same, and is provided at top with a curved recess 131 of sufficient width to admit of the requisite degree of vibration of the carrier and conforming at each side to the curvature of the hub 128 of the plate 118, so as to fit closely against the same and rock the plate upon its pivot in opposite directions in its lateral traverse, such traverse being effected as presently to be described. A fixed crimpingplate 132 is formed upon or secured to the frame 117 and fits freely in the slot 127 of the movable shearing and crimping plate 118, the pivot 119 of which passes through an opening in the plate 132. The frame 117 is suitably recessed to admit of the traverse of the plate 118, in the movement of which the inner edges of the shearer and crimper IIO 125 of said plate swing past the adjacent edges of a central notch or recess 133 in the fixed crimping-plate 132. A knife plate 134, having a central notch 135, provided with shear or cutting edges 136 on each side, is secured to the outer face of the fixed crimping-plate 132, the shear-edges of the knife-plate being located in such proximity to the plane of movement of those of the shearer and crimper 125 as to act in conjunction therewith in the performance of a cutting operation at each lateral traverse of the plate 118 upon its pivot.

The carrier 129 is coupled by a spring 1&5, connected to its end below the pivot 130, by which it is journaled to the movable shearing and crimping plate 118, to a pin 116, fixed in the frame 117,and is oscillated upon its independent pivot 130, as well as oscillated coincidently with the plate 118 upon the pivot 119 of the latter, to alternately throw the plate 118 to the opposite limits of its traverse upon the pivot 119 byapair of lever-arms 140, journaled in parallel planes by pivots 141 to the rear end of the knotter-frame 104.

F1g. 35 shows the movable shearing and crimping plate 118 at the limit of its movement to the right, the left-hand arm of the carrier 129 having been drawn into the plane of movement of the left-hand lever-arm 140 by the action of its spring 145,which oscillates the carr er upon its independent pivot 130, and the carrier being held in such position by the tension of its spring acting on one side of said pivot and by the bearing of the hub 128 of the movable shearing and crimping plate 118 against the adjacent surfaces of the slot 131 of the carrier on the other side of said pivot. The movable shearing and crimping plate 118 is at this period held stationary by the crimping of the binding-cord, which is crimped between itand the stationarycrimping-plate 132. The left-hand lever-arm 140 in its upward traverse bears against the under surface of the l ft-hand arm of the carrier 129, and thereby moves said arm upwardly and inwardly out of its path by oscillating the carrier upon its independent pivot 130. When released from contact with the lever-arm, the carrier will be oscillated in reverse direction and returned to its former position by the action of the spring 115, its left-hand arm being thrown back into the 'slot 146 of the left-hand leverarm and in the path of the bearing-facing 1&7 thereof, in position to be acted upon by said bearing-facing in the next succeeding downward traverse of the lever-arms, the action of which bearing-facing coincidently oscillates the carrier 129 and movable shearing and crimping plate 118 upon the pivot 119 of the latter, throwing the plate 118 to the limit of its traverse to the left.

Fig. 36 shows the movable shearing and crimping plate 118 and carrier 129 adjacent to the limit of their movement to the left, the left-hand lever-arm being in its downward traverse and still in contact with the carrier, which, together with the movable shearing and crimping plate, will be further moved to the left in the continued downward traverse of the lever-arms until released from the lefthand lever-arm, when it will be oscillated upon its independent pivot 130 by the spring 145 and its right-hand arm thrown to the right and into the plane of movement of the right-hand lever-arm 140, in position to be acted upon by the same in its next succeeding. upward and downward movements to effect in a similar manner to that above described the movement of the movable shearing and crimping plate 118 to the limit of its traverse to the right, in which position it is shown in Fig. 35.

In lieu of employing a spring in effecting the oscillatory movements of the carrier 129 upon its independent pivot 130, the carrier may be weighted below the same and the force of gravity utilized instead of springtension.

The positions of the lever-arms at the upward and downward limits of their traverse are indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 35 and 86. By means of the pivot 130 the carrier is connected to the movable shearing and crimping plate and about which it oscillates independently of said plate as actuated by its spring and by one or the other of the lever-arms 140, being alternately thrown upon opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through the axis of the pivot of the movable shearing and crimping plate. A limited range of movement of the carrier upon its pivot 130 independently of the shearing and crimping plate is provided for, such movement permitting the carrier to be cleared by each lever-arm in its upward movement and presented alternately to the bearing-facings of the lever-arms to be acted on by the same in their downward movements, or vice versa. Such pivotal traverse of the carrier further admits of its being made sufiiciently narrow at its top to clear both of the lever-arms when its pivot is brought into a vertical central plane between the same.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the essential feature of the cord holding and cutting mechanism consists in a movable shearing and crimping plate adapted to oscillate upon a pivot and carrying cord-guides and a crimper and shearer which acts in conjunction with relatively fixed crimping and shearing members located on opposite sides of the axis of its pivot. The swinging carrier, with its spring and the pivoted levers by which it is actuated, together constitute a mechanism whereby the required oscillatory movements may be imparted to the movable shearing and crimping plate; but my invention is not in this particular-limited to this or any other specific mechanism for effecting such movements, as the same end may be attained by the employment of actuating devices differing structurally from those herein set forth, but which, in combination with the fixed and movable cutting and crimping members, would act as the mechanical equivalents of theactuating mechanism described and shown, and would accord with the spirit and operative principle of my invention.

In the formation of a knot it is necessary that the frame 117 shall move upon its pivot toward and from the knotter in order to supply the same with the cord required to form the knot, and remain stationary when its free end is in position nearest the knotter for a sufficient period to admit of the cutting and crimping of the cord. To this end it is pro vided with a camway or slot 137, of proper curvature to effect the desired traverse and admit of the proper period of rest of the frame,to which the required movement is imparted by a pin 138, fitting in the camway 137, and connected at its ends to the leverarms 140. In order to hold the frame 117 in position, as against the tension of the hind ing-cord in the compression of the bundle, as well as to prevent it from being moved out of position by the cord-tightening spindle of the knotter in the discharge of the sheaf, the frame 117 is locked at the limit of its traverse upon its pivot farthest from the knotter', as shown in Fig. 14, by a swinging hook or hooks 142, pivoted upon a pin 143 in the frame 104. The hooks 142 are drawn into and held in locking position by a spring 143, connected to' the frame and to an extension of the hooks beyond their pivot, and are disengaged from the frame 117 to admit of the movement of the latter by the contact of the standards 84 of the binder-arm with an arm 144, formed upon or fixed to the hooks. An additional function of the hooks 142 is to prevent the lateral displacement of the movable cutting and crimping plate by the strain of the binding-cord in the compression of the sheaf, one of said hooks bearing against one side of the cutting and crimping plate, as shown in Fig. 23, and thereby preventing its movement in the direction induced by the strain of the cord.

The mechanism by which the knot of the binding-cord is formed and tightened is of the following construction: A cord-throwing cylinder 148 is fitted with the capacity of free axial movement in bearings in the knotterframe 104, longitudinal movement of the cylinder being prevented bya nut 149, engaging a screw-thread 150 on the lower end of the cylinder below the frame104 and by an annular flange 151 on the upper end or head of the cylinder. A- central cylindrical opening or bore is formed in the cylinder for the reception of a cord-tightening spindle 152, and a slot 153 is also formed in the cylinder from its central bore to its periphery, said slot being parallel with its axis at and for a portion of its length adjoining the end nearest the head of the cylinder and thereafter extending in helical form to or near its lower-terminal, which is located at or about the upper level of the lower bearing of the cylinder in the frame 1.04. An upwardly-curved cordthrowing hook or finger 154 is formed upon the periphery of the upper flange 151 of the cylinder, the rear of the hook being downwardly beveled or inclined to form a guide for the cord in passing over it. A pin 155 passes freely through slots 156 in the pivoted lever-arms 140, before specified, through the slot 153 of the cylinder 148, and through a longitudinal slot 157 in the cord-tightening spindle 152, said pin carrying a pair of rollers 158, fitting vertical grooves159 in the frame 104, and a pair of rollers 160, fitting the slot 153 of the cylinder. The slots 156 of the lever-arms 140 are elongated sufficiently to admit of the oscillating movements of said arms about their pivots 141 withoutbinding upon the pin 155 in its vertical traverse in the slots 150. An annular head-piece 161, the bore of which corresponds substantially with that of the cylinder and which is provided with an upper circumferential flange 161, fits freely within the upper end thereof and is secured by a lateral flange 162 to one side of the knotter-frame 104. An upwardly and outwardly inclined hook 163 is formed upon the top of the flange 161 of the head-piece, the connection of the flange 162 therewith being slotted or cut away in rear of the hook to form a recess or passageway 164 for the binding-cord, which extends around and under the top of the hook 163. A longitudinal crimping projection 165 is formed upon the upper end of the spindle 152, and a hook 166, which may be forked or divided, as shown, is pivoted to the spindle at the lower end of the projection 165, so that its free end may be pressed up to the latter by the contact of the surface of the bore of the cylinder 148 in the downward movement of the spindle 152 through the same. A recess 167 (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 17) is formed in the surface of the bore of the cylinder at such height as to permit of a slight outward movement of the hook 166 when the spindle is at the lower extremity of its traverse to effect the release of the cord which has been crimped between said hook and the projecjection 165. projecting into the recess 167, the bore of the cylinder being indicated by the inner dotted line. The hooks 101, by which the binderarm 83 is locked in position during the formation and tightening of the knot, are pivoted by the pins or studs 186 011 each side of the frame 104 of the knotting mechanism in such position thereon as to stand in line with the free end of the binder-arm when the latter is thrown into the position indicated in Figs. 8, 15, and 16. The hooks 101 are provided with outwardly-curved arms or extensions 187 below their pivots, which extensions are pressed outwardly, so as to project through vertical slots in the frame 104 into the planes of movement of the pivoted levers 140 by an interposed spring 188. The disengagement of the hooks 101 from the recesses 102 of the binderarm is effected by the levers 140, which in their downward movement bear upon and press inwardly the extensions 187, thereby outwardly moving and releasing the hooks, which are returned by the spring 188 to position to re-engage the recesses 102 upon the next succeeding upward movement of the levers. The pivoted levers 140 are oscillated upon their pivots 141 to impart movements, as required, to the cord holding and cutting mechanism, to the cord-throwing cylinder 148 and cord-tightening spindle 152, and to In Fig. 18 the hook is shown as. 

